The Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, on Sunday said it was important to ensure that the control of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons command did not go to “wrong hands”.
Reacting to media reports that the National Command Authority there which controls the nuke button, has been handed over to Pakistan Prime Minister Yusouf Raza Gilani, General Kapoor said, “What is more important is to have proper control over nuclear weapons and ensure that it does not go to wrong hands.” In an informal interaction with media on the sidelines of National Defence Academy (NDA)’ s passing out parade at Khadakwasla, about 20 km from here, General Kapoor talked about different issues.
Referring to development of infrastructure by China in Tibet, he said, “It is necessary that we also develop infrastructure on our side” of the border, reports Zee News.
The Army Chief, however, was quick to add that India had “good relations” with China and there was a mechanism in place to discuss the border dispute with that country.
“There is nothing to get worried about”, he said.
On infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir, General Kapoor said terrorists were likely to step up their activities before the snow fall in the Valley.
“There has been peace and stability in the border state for the last one and a half years. Some people do not like it”, he observed.
Referring to his recent visit to Israel, the Army Chief said it was in connection with “certain ongoing issues” as the two countries had a defence cooperation to combat terrorism and share intelligence.
Earlier, General Kapoor who took salute at a smartly turned out parade of NDA cadets, asked them to prepare themselves for a modern warfare which would be complex and multi-dimensional and driven by technology.
“Introduction of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons have transformed modern warfare in its range and tempo”, he noted. The President’s gold medal was awarded to Cadet Captain M M Markale on the occasion.